A very Corporate Affair 2(72)

The landlord of the pub did us proud. He had laid on a lovely spread, and roped off part of the lounge bar for our exclusive use. We packed the place out, and once the initial scrum at the bar was dealt with, it all went very smoothly. I moved around the room, thanking people for coming, and listening to their stories about mum. It was nice, hearing how popular she was, and how well liked she'd been. If she'd been there, she would have loved it.

I stayed for at least two hours, before saying my goodbyes, and leaving them to it. Ray was taking advantage of all the sympathetic free drinks he was being bought, and I really didn't want to be lumbered with getting him home.

I slid into the Mercedes, and asked Roger to take me home. "Did everything go alright?" He asked. I didn't answer, as I was looking at forty two missed calls on my mobile, all from various numbers. "Elle, I said was everything alright?" Roger asked again.

"Before I call all these numbers, perhaps you can tell me?"

He sighed, "I was under strict instructions that you shouldn't be told until your mother's funeral was over. Ivan and his guards went missing last night just before they were about to take off. They were intercepted before they got on the plane. It's being reported on the news now." I quickly scrolled through my iPhone to sky news, and read that Ivan's group had been overpowered and kidnapped just before getting on his private jet to leave Russia, and it was believed they were being held hostage somewhere in the Urals mountains. I went cold, and felt sick.

Shaking, I worked my way through the missed calls, speaking to Ms Pearson, Mr Ranenkiov, Lewis and finally Oscar.

"Is there anything you can do? Any contacts that could help?" I asked, after sliding up the privacy screen in the car.

"Until there's a demand, not a huge amount, but I know someone who can, and he owes you."

"Who?"

"Darius. Works for the intelligence services. He'll know what to do. I may get him to call you. If you need ransom money, Elle, you can come to me."

"Thank you. I'm on my way to my company head office to see Ms Pearson. She called to say she needed to see me immediately."

"Keep your phone switched on, and answer all calls straightaway."

"Will do."

We were driving over London Bridge when Darius called. "Elle, Oscar contacted me. It seems you need some assistance?"

"Yes, I take it you know about Ivan going missing?"

"Yes, we've already had some contact with the KGB over the matter. The good news is that he is still alive."

"But?"

"A ransom demand has been given to the Russian equivalent of our foreign secretary. They want fifty million dollars."

"Oscar said he would pay it. I'm sure Ivan will pay it back. So how do we do this?"

"I need to make some calls, it’s not as simple as just paying the ransom. The Russian government can't be seen to capitulate to hostage demands, so we have to be sneaky. Usually what happens is that the money is paid, and the hostage released alongside the illusion of a rescue attempt which is triumphant. That way, nobody loses face."

"How long will it take?"

"I don't know. Our diplomats are with the Russian government at the moment, working on this. I'll speak to Oscar about a secret money transfer, and we'll do our best to get him out as fast as we can. I do know that I owe you, you know."

"Darius, please do this for me because I'm a nice girl, in love with a man who's been kidnapped, not because of an imaginary debt. I gave you both my word, and it will stand until I die."#p#分页标题#e#

"Ivan is one lucky man to have you. I'll do my very best to get him out alive, and twist every arm that I can." We said our goodbyes, and he cut the call. Shortly afterwards, we pulled up at the Pearson Hardwick head office. I was immediately whisked up to Ms Pearson's office, and shown straight in. We shook hands, and sat down.

"So, how are you bearing up? And have you heard any news yet?"

"There's been a ransom demand made. People are trying their best to get him out alive, but I don't know yet if it will happen, or when."

Ms Pearson looked grave. "As you possibly know, I met with Mr Porenski to put in place plans should this scenario happen. As of now, you are acting as managing director of all his companies. We're you aware of that plan being in place?"

"Yes I was, although I did suggest I didn't have the experience or knowledge to do it."

"Just caretake it. Don't let the other directors make any important decisions. Aim for keeping things on an even a keel as you can, given the circumstances. You're a clever woman Elle, and Ivan knows you can be trusted more than any man in his company. There’s one more thing he asked me to alert you of in a scenario such as this."